Few pitchers in history have risen through the minor leagues as quickly as Payton Tolle. The big left-hander made his professional debut back in April at High-A Greenville, and less than five months later he’s reached the majors. Fortunately for Tolle, he’s joining a Red Sox staff that features one of the small handful of people who have been in his shoes. Before he was acquired by the Red Sox this past winter, Garrett Crochet bypassed the minor leagues entirely after being drafted by the White Sox in the summer of 2020, debuting in the big leagues that September. Asked…
Author: BostonSportsNews
When Eric Bischoff thinks of Hulk Hogan, he is flooded with memories from a friendship that lasted over three decades. One memory in particular sticks out. It wasn’t long before Bash at the Beach in 1996 – the seismic moment when Hogan started wrestling’s New World Order, turning from crowd favorite to villain – and Bischoff had traveled to California to visit Hogan while he was filming “Santa with Muscles.” “The set was in the middle of some mountain range,” recalled Bischoff, who made the trek because Hogan wanted to discuss his future in World Championship Wrestling. “I went to…
Ranking the top 50 players in NBA history… 8. Tim Duncan Duncan is the greatest power forward who ever lived. “The Big Fundamental” epitomized consistency and team success. Drafted No. 1 overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 1997 out of Wake Forest, Duncan played all 19 seasons with San Antonio (1997-2016), averaging 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game for his career. A 15-time All-Star, Duncan won five championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), earning three Finals MVPs (1999, 2003, 2005). He secured NBA MVP twice (2002, 2003), Rookie of the Year (1998), and 15 All-NBA selections…
Craig Breslow said the Red Sox elevated pitching prospect Payton Tolle because they felt he could contribute as Boston eyes meaningful baseball down the stretch. Based on how the left-hander performed in his Major League debut at Fenway Park on Friday night, that’s a fair expectation. Tolle went toe-to-toe with Pirates superstar Paul Skenes and more than held his own despite the tough-luck 4-2 defeat. The 22-year-old walked off the diamond to a standing ovation as the Red Sox held a 2-0 lead with one out in the sixth inning. Unfortunately for Tolle, Red Sox reliever Greg Weissert took over…
After spending the majority of the season watching Walker Buehler struggle to find consistency, the Red Sox decided they could wait no longer. On Friday, the Red Sox released the veteran right-hander, who posted a 5.40 ERA over 22 starts (110 innings) before being moved to the bullpen exactly one week prior. “It’s tough, but this is where we’re at,” said manager Alex Cora. “I know it didn’t go his way, or our way right? He expected more, and we expected more, but the player, the individual, the baseball knowledge, and I still think he has stuff in the tank……
BOSTON (AP) — Paul Skenes pitched six strong innings, and Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen hit back-to-back doubles after the Pirates chased Red Sox phenom Payton Tolle in his major league debut, rallying Pittsburgh to a 4-2 victory on Friday night.Skenes (9-9) allowed one earned run on seven hits and a walk, striking out six in six innings. Dennis Santana pitched the ninth to earn his 11th save and give the last-place Pirates their seventh win in nine games.Called up earlier in the day when World Series clincher Walker Buehler was released, Tolle had a one-hitter through five innings and was…
I have a take about tonight’s game, and I have a feeling it won’t be a popular one. I don’t really care that the Red Sox lost tonight. The Red Sox are going to make the playoffs. Once you get to the playoffs, your roster shortens up, especially the pitching staff. That’s why, for me, tonight was about how Payton Tolle looked at the major league level.So, you’re probably wondering how he looked. From my standing room spot on the first baseline, he looked fantastic. Major league debuts are always weird for pitchers. They come into the game with extra…
Ranking the top 50 players in NBA history… 15. Oscar Robertson “The Big O” was a trailblazing guard who redefined versatility. Selected at No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960 out of the University of Cincinnati, where he was a three-time All-American, Robertson played 14 NBA seasons (Royals 1960-1970, Milwaukee Bucks 1970-1974). He averaged 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game, becoming the first player to average a triple-double for a season (1961-62: 30.8 PPG, 11.4 APG, 12.5 RPG). Story continues below advertisement A 12-time All-Star, he won NBA MVP in 1964 and Rookie of the…
From the moment he stepped out of the dugout until the moment he walked off the field, Payton Tolle looked like he was having the time of his life. Making his MLB debut less than five months after appearing in his first professional game at High-A in April, the 22-year-old left hander was as exuberant as he was dominant. Tolle overwhelmed the Pittsburgh Pirates with his devastating fastball, relished in the standout defensive plays made behind him and left the mound in the sixth inning with a 2-0 lead, having largely outdueled Pirates superstar Paul Skenes. The Red Sox wound…
Over the years Tom Caron has worn a lot of hats at NESN. Besides serving as the host of the network’s pre and postgame Red Sox coverage, he’s also done play-by-play for a variety of sports and served as the network’s first ever sideline reporter for baseball. To celebrate his 30th anniversary with the network, NESN had Caron do all of that and more as part of a special broadcast honoring his career. “It’s kind of mind boggling, you don’t ever expect to stay at one place as long as that,” Caron said. “One thing about NESN is they’ve always…